different between delicatessen vs delicacy

English

Etymology

First attested 1864. From German Delikatessen, plural of Delikatesse (“delicacy, fine food”), at the time also spelt Delicatesse(n), from French délicatesse, from délicat (“fine”), from Latin delicatus (“alluring”).

The sense of store is much more recent, originating in ellipsis from the common attributive use, as in delicatessen shop, delicatessen store, etc.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?d?l?k??t?s?n/

Noun

delicatessen (plural delicatessens)

1. A shop that sells cooked or prepared foods ready for serving.

Derived terms

• deli

Translations

Noun

delicatessen pl (plural only)

1. Delicacies; exotic or expensive foods.

Related terms

• delicacy

Translations

Anagrams

• delicateness

Dutch

Etymology

First attested 1642 [1]. Plural of delicatesse (“fine food”), from French délicatesse, from délicat (“fine”), from Latin delicatus (“alluring”).

Pronunciation

Noun

delicatessen

1. delicacies, fine food
2. Plural form of delicatesse

Synonyms

1. lekkernijen

Further reading

• Chronological dictionary of the Dutch language
• Etymologiebank.nl

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• delicatesse

Noun

delicatessen f (plural delicatessens)

1. delicatessen (shop selling prepared foods)

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from English delicatessen, from German Delikatessen.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /delika?tesen/, [d?e.li.ka?t?e.s?n]

Noun

delicatessen f (plural delicatessens)

1. delicatessen

Alternative forms

• delicatesen

Further reading

• “delicatessen” in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014.

English

Etymology

From Middle English delicacie, from Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?d?l?k?si/

Noun

delicacy (countable and uncountable, plural delicacies)

1. The quality of being delicate.
2. Something appealing, usually a pleasing food, especially a choice dish of a certain culture suggesting rarity and refinement.

3. Fineness or elegance of construction or appearance.
4. Frailty of health or fitness.
5. Refinement in taste or discrimination.
6. Tact and propriety; the need for such tact.

Related terms

Translations